Back in the day I used to wear cardigans ALL the time, but the last 5-6 of years not so much as I used to wear them more to cover up my upper arms with sleeveless dresses before and that is something I've stopped doing as my confidence have become better. But when I saw this cardigan from Yours Clothing I couldn't help to pick it when they asked me to review one of their items.

When it comes to finding something unique for a memorable family vacation, there's nothing quite like the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. It's a city that provides its own assortment of food, fun, games and more to offer something for everybody. From resort style pools and roller coasters to some of the nicest restaurants in America, there's no shortage of things to do in Vegas. Here are a just a few of my suggestions for what you absolutely have to try on your own trip to Vegas.

Experience One of the Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Everyone knows that there's no shortage of amazing restaurants catering to the rich and famous, but did you know there are four different Michelin-starred places for you to sink your teeth into? If I had to pick, I'd recommend Gordon Ramsay Steak. You'd be hard pressed to find better beef in town, and the menu boasts many more of Ramsay's signature dishes including his famous beef Wellington.

The Buffet at the MGM Grand

While you don't want to miss out on the fine dining restaurants, you also shouldn't overlook the incredible buffets. The buffet at the MGM Grand will blow your mind with an incredible selection of dishes that ranges from prime rib and king crab to sushi and more. That's not to mention the all-you-can-eat shrimp! No trip to Vegas is complete without a trip to one of the famous buffets, and it's also a great way to keep the kids happy thanks to made-to-order waffles and an eye-popping assortment of ice cream toppings!

Stop By the Roulette Wheels

You can find pretty much every kind of casino game online these days, but nothing quite beats the experience of playing the real thing in the thrilling atmosphere of a Las Vegas casino. This is particularly true for games you're never going to be able to properly recreate at home, like roulette. It's also a perfect game to try your hand at for first timers. A big part of it's popularity is that it is accessible for players of any skill level. It's definitely worth your time to spin the wheel a few times and try your luck. I recommend checking out the wheel over at Caesar's Palace if you really want to feel like a high roller.

Ride The Roller Coaster at New York-New York

If you're arranging a family trip to Las Vegas. it should go without saying that you'd better make sure your hotel has a pool. But in Vegas, virtually everywhere has a pool, so why not take it one step further for the little ones and offer them a full-on roller coaster. The roller coaster at New York-New York runs through both the inside and outside of the hotel and has become one of the staples of the skyline of the Las Vegas strip. It's also a fun way to tour the casino that definitely beats walking, and takes less than half the time. Take the whole family on this fantastic thrill ride and don't forget to look at your screaming picture on the way out!

Enjoy the Spa At Mandalay Bay

With all the excitement surrounding you every second you're in Vegas, it's important to take a moment to relax and enjoy yourself. It's tough to find a more relaxing spot than the spa at Mandalay Bay. From the luxurious pools to the Eucalyptus steam rooms and heated whirlpools, there's plenty of space to stretch out and soak it all in at this spa. One day passes aren't even too expensive, and I'd highly recommend checking it out either in the middle or toward the end of your trip.

The dress is from Lindy Bop I think and was a gift and I really like it. Isn't the cat print just the cutest? I'm an animal lover that is allergic to cats and dogs so the only cats I can have is on my clothes so this dress is perfect.

This size is 24 and is a really good fit for me as there is lots of stretch in the fabric. It's a silky satiny fabric. Quite unusual for Lindy Bop dresses as all the other dresses I've got from Lindy Bop are made out of a thicker cotton material. But I like this dress all the same. It's a pencil shape with a wrap around neckline style dress, and I've got into using these style dresses lately as I think they are very flattering on bigger girls and why not show off your belly instead of hiding it in flared styles all the time? I wasn't sure of the colour when I first got it as it's a rusty/browny kind of red and I'm more into the post box red, but this colour has grown on me and I think I will be using this dress a lot in the autumn.

Dress from Lindy Bop (gift, but no longer on their website I think, but not long since I got it)
Shoes from Primark (old)

What do you think of this cat dress? Do you like it?

August 7

The photos of this outfit are really bad, but I completely forgot to take proper photos as I was out for dinner with Mike and my family and these are the only photos I've got. This dress is an old one from Yours Clothing I think. I've had it for years and years and is still one of my favourites. It's such a cute dress. Black and white and dots. Can't go wrong with that.

5 days into this challenge and I had to go with my husband to St. Albans with my mother in law as she is going to Spain on holiday. We drove her there in her car so we could borrow her car while she is away as our car broke down yesterday. Hopefully it will be fixed soon, but we don't know how much it's going to cost us to repair it. Unfortunately, another worry added onto my from before bad MH problems due to my physical health issues that keep me from working at the moment and again making things a bit tight financially. Mike needs a car to get to and from work, so it worked out well, thankfully, that she was away this week.

I chose to wear something easy and comfortable for the journey and this is what I wore.

This top was a birthday present, but it's from Evans and is in the sale HERE for £15.
Jeans are old from Very
Shoes are old from Evans.

I liked this outfit, but think I would rather wear this top with a skirt in the future as I think it's a bit too long for jeans. Just a couple of inches or so. I like my tops a bit shorter when I wear jeans, while I was wearing a skirt I could tuck it in and it would look perfect. It's such a lovely top. Perfect for summer. Light and airy. And very pretty and girly. It's no stretch in the fabric so I would size up if you have big boobs. I'm wearing a size 26 and it's a good fit over my boobs.

Update. Wearing it with a skirt here and I love it so much.

I will definitely be wearing this top again, but with skirts to give it a bit more shape.

It's time to recap the last few days and the outfits I've been wearing. It's been a few hectic days so I've not been able to post every day, but I will try and post a bit more often at least at the weekends.August 2nd

I went to London for a travel event and it was so rainy so I opted for this dress from Pink Clove that has become a firm favourite of mine. I paired it with knee length leggings and open toe shoes(stupidly!!!) and felt really comfortable all night. Had an amazing time and even forgot to put my trusted red lipstick on as it was so much fun!!! :)

August 3rd

A mix of old stuff I've got in my wardrobe that I'm using quite a lot and I love.

Top from New Look
Vest top from Primark
Skirt from Asos
Shoes from Simply Be

It was a couple of hours of lovely sunshine so my black outfit became a bit too gloomy for the weather, but before I knew it, it was grey again so apt for English summer :D

August 4th

Simple outfit and I love wearing shorts. :)

Old t-shirt from New Look
Shorts also from New Look also old
Sandals from Pavers

I was so happy and carefree and just enjoying my walk. This was before our car broke down and I got all depressed!!! I don't know how much it will cost to repair it and since I'm not working at the moment we aren't having too much extra cash to spend so I'm quite worried.. But oh well, that is life. Car costs a lot so just have to find the money for it.

I love all three of these outfits and I think they are so cute. It's amazing how much stuff you can find just by having a little look in your drawers and wardrobe. I really like this challenge and are already looking forward to tomorrows photos!!!

I'm a late bloomer when it comes to makeup and I still are so inexperienced when it comes to applying it. The only exceptions are mascara and lipstick which I've used since I was 13!!!
I'm a lipstick whore!!! I hoard lipsticks!!! If I'm quite new in liking makeup in general, lipstick is a whole different story! I love lipsticks!!! I need to make a different blog post about my lipstick obsession as it's a long and intense love affair!!!

But to makeup in general. I've found out I love playing with different looks and different kinds of makeup. Not just mascara and lipstick. And even if I have had quite a lot of make up over the years (some of my friends would say I have had more than a lot) compared to many I've not had a lot apart from certain things. I've never had a favourite brand, just bought what has been cheap and what I've liked the look of, but lately I've been watching a lot of beauty tutorials and gained new knowledge and interest. So I've been starting to buy things like highlighters, bronzers, bb creams, contouring etc.
And I've found a favourite brand!!!

It's August already! Hasn't that come around quickly? It's not long since I was looking forward to summer and now the last month of summer is here. So this month I'm going to do as many fun things I can and one of these things I'm doing is taking part in a challenge that my wifey Leah over at Love Leah has been doing for a few years already but that I haven't taken part in yet. But this year I wanted to take part as I can post when I want to, so I will probably do outfits every day, but do posts every few days. The aim of this challenge is to hunt what you already have in your wardrobe and that is exactly what I've been doing all year so it's perfect for me to take part in this as it's a great opportunity to show off more of my hidden gems. There are some other ladies taking part in this challenge too which I will link to at the bottom of this post so take a look at their posts too.

Have I owned a rain jacket!!! Insane, right? I know!!! I'm 42 now and I haven't owned one since I was about 10!!!! That is a long time for someone who has lived most of my life in very rainy countries like Norway and England. The only times I haven't needed a rain jacket was when I was living in Canada, Portugal and Spain, but the time I lived there is about 2 years so as you can tell I really need rain proof clothes.

Let's talk lace on my blog today. Lace is a very lovely material if you get it right and it's an awful material if you get it wrong.
There is nothing prettier than a beautiful lace that is soft and delicate and feels amazing to touch and soft on your skin. It feels exclusive and sensual, feminine and youthful. Then you have the horrible lace that is itchy and hard and it's awful. Imagine those fancy dress costumes from China that come with a stiff lace that can cut you skin open like a knife if you're not being careful. And then other times they mix lace with thin elastic and the lace starts fraying and it looks like you've got really a really hairy garment on.

I've just had a big massive clear out of ALL my clothes and I was completely taken back by the amount of clothes I have got!! Already this year I've been trying to buy as little as possible as I've been consciously using clothes I already got in my wardrobe and stored away that I had forgotten about. And it's been so much fun. Cause I've found so many things that I'd forgotten about that I really loved wearing and didn't sell or got rid of for a reason.

This outfit contains two items I had forgotten about. The bright yellow pleated skirt from H&M that I bought a few years ago that are so cute and so perfect for summer. And the cropped denim vest that I've made myself.

There are few brands out there I feel really strongly for. Most plus size brands these days have managed to provoke me in some way. Either by the way they have handled their social media or the way they have gone away from their true plus size branding. Less and less brands seem to be true to the plus size roots these days which is a shame as I think it's so much choice for the ones that can fit into anything under a size 24. For everyone above a size 24 the choices are radically fewer.

It's summer and high season for travelling. You might already have booked a holiday or maybe you're doing it right now. The excitement of booking a new holiday or travel is one of the best feelings ever, but as a plus size traveller, it might be some things that are worrying you before you set off on your dream journey.I have been plus size most of my grown up life and up through the years I've travelled a lot and never let my weight stop me. I could have stayed at home and never had to worry about anything, but I don't even want to start thinking about all the fantastic experiences I would have missed out on if I hadn't dared to follow my wanderlust. I think it's so important for everyone to do the things you want to no matter what.

Quad biking in Kos. So much fun!!!

I've been gold washing in Finland, I've been riding a quad bike for hours on dirt tracks of Greek Islands, it's so much fun sledging down a steep slope in Norway, I love snorkelling in the azure blue waters of the Caribbean, I've been climbing all the steps to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa, scuba diving in the Red Sea and so much more, and it has never been an issue.

Of course, there are some activities that have size and weight restrictions. Like I can't go to most theme parks as to my chest measurement will make it impossible for me to take most of the rides. But there are far more things that you can do, than things you can't do! So if you want to do something, the chance is big that you can do it. Very often I think that it's our minds that limit us from doing what we want to do rather than the physical aspect of it.

Sharing my thoughts on how to become a more confident to do more activities when you're out travelling, I have gathered some tips and hints I hope can be helpful and useful for you in your travels.

1. Wear comfortable clothes. I mean. This goes without saying and is something that applies for everyone regardless of size. But as a bigger person by wearing something comfortable and something YOU feel at ease in it's one less thing to worry about.

2. Wear something that you feel comfortable in, but still is activity appropriate. Let's say you're going off the beaten trek in a buggy and it can get really muddy. If you hate getting mud all over your skin, then wear something covering, if not wear shorts and a tank top as you will be able to wash it off. A thing to remember with an activity like this is a scarf or bandana to protect your face and mouth. And if you're going snorkelling, and like me, you burn really easily. I would highly recommend wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt as when you get into the water and you start having fun, you lose track of time and before you know it, you have got a nasty burn even if you put on some solid sun factor 50 before you jumped in the water.

3. Don't worry about being the only fat person on the tour. If you are, so what? Aren't you allowed to have fun? Aren't you allowed to enjoy your travels? Haven't you paid just as much to be on this activity as everyone else? Chances are that no one will think anything of it and if you're friendly and smiley everyone will be the same back. I have never once come across any fatshaming or trouble because of my size. The people working on the tours have been so lovely as well and don't know what they can do to assist you and help. If I have been nervous ahead of the trip and wanted to call it off, I've always been so glad I didn't as I have loved it and sat back with the best memories of a great day.

On a speed boat in the Dominican Republic. I loved this. It was such a thrill. It went so fast and the driver made the boat go from side to side to make it more exciting. Amazing experience and scenery. And I sat in the front where it was most bumpy!!! :D

4. Bring as little as possible. The less you bring the better it is. Again, this makes it less to worry about. And if you have your essentials like suncream, camera, sunglasses, water, protective gear and not much more. If you have a money belt to wear around your waist or near your body(you can find waterproof ones for snorkelling or other water activities as well on Amazon) then bring this. Leave your backpack behind in the bus/car that has taken you to your starting point.

5. Participate in everything. If there are something on offer in the excursion and you feel a bit hesitant towards it because of your size. Don't let that stop you. Try it! It might surprise you. You might love it and you might be really good at it. If you have a fear of something, I'm not saying that you should go out do something for any price, but it's good to challenge yourself sometimes and it gives you a great boost if you can do it. I bet that not everyone else can do it either regardless of size!!!

Mudbaths in Spain and jumping from boat into a crystal clear Mediterranean in Greece.

6. Shoes!! Wear comfortable shoes!! Sandals or trainers depending on what kind of activity you're doing. If you're doing a water activity wear water shoes or flippers. Otherwise, wear good footwear. It's essential. If you're doing something action filled I would suggest wearing something with a closed toe as it protects your feet better.

A little bonus tip is to make sure you breathe properly. It can be stressful being a plus size traveller so make sure you relax as much as you can. Take some really good deep breaths as it helps massively. If you do this I can almost assure you that you will enjoy your excursion a lot more and it will help you relax.

Snorkelling on Paradise Island, The Dominican Republic on the Left and when I had got on land on the right.

I hope that next time you fly off somewhere, you have it mind that you should do what you want to do when you're away. If you are happy spending the whole week inside the resort just relaxing by the pool reading books and drinking cocktails then you should. But if you want to do more adventurous things like I love to do when I'm away then you shouldn't let your weight stop you.

Are you too old to wear short skirts or dresses when you're over 40? And on top of that are plus size? Of course not!!! If you want to wear a short skirt or dress then you should. I'm 42 this summer and I'm wearing short dresses, skirts and shorts all the time both in the summer and winter.

I saw this cute animal print dress from Pink Clove in Asos' sale section and I have a weakness for shift dresses as I think they are so easy to wear as everyday dresses. And animal print is one of my favourite prints that I can use with so much else so I know that this dress can be worn on its own like I do here on a warm day or with tights and a denim jacket if it's a cooler day.

I've been a plus size blogger for four years now and it's been so much fun. There were quite a lot of plus size bloggers in the UK already when I started. And since I started it has been an explosion in the number of plus size bloggers there is around. Something that truly is fantastic as it's amazing seeing all these women embracing their bodies and pushing their boundaries when it comes to fashion.

This spring I have had a huge colour crush on pink and I've worn it so much that I've completely left out all other colours in my wardrobe! I was going to a friends birthday party and wanted a new dress, but had a very limited budget but I came across this beauty at Asos from Paper Doll Plus at a bargain price of £16!!! As you all know I love colours and I'm not scared of wearing bold colours so the colour just made me love it even more! Since there is just a little give in the dress I was a bit sceptical to the sizing as I have a big difference between my bust and my waist, but I sized up and chose size 28. And when I got the dress I was so pleasantly surprised as it was as made for me!! It was a perfect fit all over. Normally dresses that fit me perfectly over my bust are too baggy over my tummy, but this is perfect.

Isn't it amazing with spring and warmer weather? And this year it's been such a lovely spring. I was contacted by Jacamo*(gifted items) the other week if I wanted to take part in a campaign they had to style up a male friend or partner so I jumped the opportunity as I always love to use Mike as a model on my blog. So I will let him take over and leave you guys with him.

Hello everyone. I'm Mike. Some of you might know me. I'm Mookie's husband. I'm usually behind the camera, but I think some of you might have seen me around?

I was very happy to be asked to take part in this campaign and I chose some clothes that I think reflects my normal style which is quite laid back and relaxed. Although I also chose something I usually wouldn't have gone for and ended up really liking.

I'm asking this question as I think it is important to reflect back on life and what has shaped you into becoming who you are today. This week was the international women's day and therefore I want to share with you photos and a story of one woman who has meant more to me growing up than anyone else. My grandmother. She was such a strong character who had a tough life but still kept fighting for what she believed in and stayed such a level headed and caring persona until the very end.

I grew up with my grandmother far up north in Norway. She was always there. I have vivid memories of coming home from school and she was always sitting on her chair in front of the window looking for me. It never failed! Waiting for me with a warm hug or a pair of newly knitted woollen socks I could wear the next day so I stayed warm and cosy. She was the rock in the household consisting of me, my mum, my dad and her. We were a little family, but we shared a lot of love and we were a very caring family.

Me and my grandma when I was about 2. <3 And yes, I prefered to play with cars than dolls!!!

I had never tried a dress from Hell Bunny before Yours Clothing asked me to try one of their Hell Bunny dresses on my blog. I've always been a fan of Hell Bunny as plus size vintage dress designers as they have a lot of dresses with a bit of an edgy touch to it, but still, I chose to go for something more classic when I saw this beauty. It's the Hell Bunny Black and White Mono Spotted Dress* I'm wearing. I love polka dots and black and white ones are so classic and elegant so I didn't have to think twice about another style as this was so up my street as you can get it.

I've always been very impulsive as a person and sometimes you can see that in what I'm wearing. Since starting this blog I've also wanted to push my barriers and force myself to wear something I want without thinking about what people might think or say about it. It also gives me an instant confidence boost if I'm the right mindset for it so it's a win-win situation.

So the other night when Mike and I went food shopping I was as very often pondering what to wear when I came up with this outfit.

I gave myself a promise this year that I would radically buy less clothes this year as I've got tonnes of it and not very much space since Mike and I live in a small studio flat. So instead I'm going to re-discover my wardrobe and also do a lot of alternation to clothes I already own instead of wasting money on something I think I might like and that never end up being worn.

But right before the new year Mike bought me a couple of things from New Look that I loved and knew would become firm favourites of mine. He called it a getting better present since I was in hospital and needed a little cheering up. He is so sweet to me and he has been the best support while I've been in hospital.

Picture from Pintrest

I've been a huge fan of Manic Street Preachers since I was 17. Their glamorous style always was something I loved, but never dared to adopt living in Norway. So now at the age of 41 and a half(it's important with the half!!!:D) I'm finally the proud owner of a Manics coat!!!! And I love it! It's so warm and nice for these very cold days we have in England at the moment. Since I got it, I've been living in it.

About Me

I'm Mookie, 42 year old Norwegian living in UK since 2009. Been blogging since 2013. Married to the love of my life Mike and I have one beautiful daughter Liv. My passion in life is travelling and colours. I love nature, I love watching football, listening to music, spending time with my husband and friends/family. Love reading history. Learning languages and I'm a lipstick whore. 'm a grown up that never grew up. I love all kind of childish things like glitter, colours, stationary, splashing around in a pool or the ocean pretending to be a mermaid and playing with animals.